Bipartisan Legislation was brought by both Iron Range Senators Hauschild and Farnsworth
(ST. PAUL, Minn.) – Senator Grant Hauschild (DFL-Hermantown), alongside co-author Senator Rob Farnsworth (R-Hibbing), secured 26 weeks of extended unemployment benefits for Hibtac and Minorca miners during Tuesday’s floor debate on the Senate Jobs bill. Thanks to this amendment, approximately 600+ laid off Steelworkers would be eligible for extended unemployment benefits.
“When our miners are laid off, it doesn’t just impact their families—it threatens the economic fabric of the entire Iron Range,” said Sen. Hauschild. “These are the folks who power our economy and have been the backbone of our Range economy. Today, we stood by them and expedited an extension of unemployment benefits for our miners. This amendment gives laid off workers at Minorca and HibTac a critical lifeline while we fight to restart production and secure the future of mining in our region. Now we need the State House to join us and pass this extension in unemployment as quickly as possible.”
The amendment, co-authored by Senator Rob Farnsworth (R-Hibbing), was added during Tuesday’s Senate Floor debate on the Omnibus Jobs bill. Ultimate passage relies on action in the House, which has yet to pass an extension.
During the recent legislative recess, Sen. Hauschild invited Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy (DFL- St. Paul) to visit with workers who had been laid off due to mine closures. At that meeting, the lawmakers made a promise to expedite legislation guaranteeing extended unemployment benefits for those impacted.
While debate continues on the Jobs bill, it is expected to pass later today.
###
Learn more about Sen. Hauschild.
